A recent WalletHub website survey found Hawai`i to be the happiest state in America. Now before we all start getting snarky or sarcastic, let’s just be happy that we’re so happy. After all, 87% of Americans are now “anxious” or “very anxious”, according to an American Psychiatric Association poll. Hmmmm, wonder why?
WalletHub Ph.D. experts weighed data from various sources and created a happiness formula which some might question (like West Virginians- who came in 50th place), but let’s just enjoy the happy news. But don’t party too hardy, as we rank 49th in adequate sleep rate. Geez! Or should I say Zzzzzz?
We’re happy but can’t sleep. We love our backyard (mountains, beaches, and everything in between) but we’re unsure if we can keep our kids from leaving here… forever. We’re not sure (in good conscience) that we can sell our kids on the attributes (of which there are many) when nagging concerns exist about having enough opportunity to thrive (not just survive); it’s a real worry for many here, both pre- and post-retirement. No wonder people stay up all night, working a second job or worrying about things out of their control.
Speaking of control, our O`ahu public parks have survived that recent toilet paper shortage drama. The beneficial bunwad supply wasn’t steady (welcome to 2022) and thus people were encouraged to bring their own, but it now seems that we’ve wiped this problem. Just one more reason to be happy, yeh?
OK, time to re-focus… how much longer can our isolated, island chain stay centered, reasonably focused, calm and thus happy, when the weight of it all sometimes gets oppressive? We manage via our unique culture(s), learned demeanor, empathy, sense of ‘ohana, and aloha attributes. But that just might not carry us forever if we don’t create economic and housing opportunities- major issues that are constantly reinforced, dissected, studied, and bandied about at least every two years when someone(s) wants to get elected.
At a riveting Hawai`i Island “futures” conference recently, one panelist discussed the necessity for Hawai`i to stop being a “feeder” system, whereby we train young people, raise them well, and then watch as they saunter off to seek a reasonable return on their investment (a/k/a- true happiness) over their next 50 years. We need to create opportunities, innovate, take chances, and provide a rationale here to… well, to stay happy.
Think about it…